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SSC CGL 2025 PYQs

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1,200 questions in English Comprehension.

Q101.
Select the correct spelling to fill in the blank.
The extreme desert heat led to the rapid ____ of the exposed plants.
  1. Adessication
  2. Bdesication
  3. Cdesiccation
  4. Ddesiccasion
Show answer

Concept: Desiccation = the process of drying out completely.

  1. Correct pattern: de-SI-CC-ation → one 's', double 'c'.
  2. dessication (ss, one c), desication (one c), desiccasion (-sion) are wrong.

Trick: Think 'one Sun dries, two Clouds don't come' → 1 S, 2 C.

Answer: (C) desiccation

अवधारणा: Desiccation = पूरी तरह सूख जाना।

  1. सही रूप: de-si-cc-ation – एक 's', दो 'c'।
  2. dessication, desication, desiccasion – सब गलत।

ट्रिक: 1 S, 2 C – 'desiccation' याद रखने का आसान तरीका।

उत्तर: (C) desiccation

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSpelling – desiccationSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q102.
Select the correct indirect form of the given sentence.
The librarian instructed, "Do not reshelve the books yourselves."
  1. AThe librarian instructed not to reshelve the books themselves.
  2. BThe librarian instructed them do not reshelve the books themselves.
  3. CThe librarian instructed that they do not reshelve the books yourselves.
  4. DThe librarian instructed them not to reshelve the books themselves.
Show answer

Concept: 'Do not + V' becomes 'told/instructed + object + not to + V'.

  1. Add the listener as object: instructed them.
  2. 'Do not reshelve' → not to reshelve.
  3. Reflexive changes: yourselves → themselves.

Trick: Reject any option with 'do not' or 'yourselves' still inside, and any without an object after 'instructed'.

Answer: (D) The librarian instructed them not to reshelve the books themselves.

अवधारणा: 'Do not + V' → 'instructed + कर्म + not to + V'।

  1. सुनने वाले को कर्म बनाएँ: instructed them।
  2. 'Do not reshelve' → not to reshelve।
  3. yourselves → themselves।

ट्रिक: जिस विकल्प में 'do not' या 'yourselves' बचा हो, उसे हटा दें।

उत्तर: (D) The librarian instructed them not to reshelve the books themselves.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionNarration – negative imperativeSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q103.
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: EXACERBATE
  1. AWorsen
  2. BAggravate
  3. CAlleviate
  4. DIntensify
Show answer

Concept: Exacerbate = make a problem worse.

  1. Opposite: alleviate = make less severe, ease.
  2. Worsen, aggravate, intensify all mean the same as exacerbate.

Trick: When three options are synonyms of each other, the odd one out is usually the antonym.

Answer: (C) Alleviate

अवधारणा: Exacerbate = समस्या को और बिगाड़ना।

  1. विलोम: alleviate = कम करना, राहत देना।
  2. Worsen, aggravate, intensify – सब समानार्थी।

ट्रिक: तीन विकल्प आपस में समानार्थी हों तो बचा हुआ विकल्प विलोम होता है।

उत्तर: (C) Alleviate

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionAntonym – exacerbateSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q104.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
To come clean
  1. ATo tidy up a messy place
  2. BTo take a bath
  3. CTo emerge from a difficult situation unscathed
  4. DTo confess something, especially something wrong
Show answer

Concept: Come clean = admit the truth, especially about a wrongdoing.

  1. Example: He finally came clean about taking the money.
  2. (A), (B) are literal meanings; (C) fits 'come out unscathed'.

Trick: Idioms rarely mean the literal action – drop 'tidy up' and 'bath' first.

Answer: (D) To confess something, especially something wrong

अवधारणा: Come clean = सच कबूल करना, खासकर गलती।

  1. उदाहरण: He finally came clean about taking the money।
  2. (A), (B) शाब्दिक अर्थ हैं; (C) 'unscathed' का अर्थ है।

ट्रिक: मुहावरे का अर्थ शाब्दिक नहीं होता – 'साफ़ करना/नहाना' पहले हटाएँ।

उत्तर: (D) To confess something, especially something wrong

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionIdiom – come cleanSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q105.
Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Passive voice.
The panel rejected the proposal that the survey results should be re-evaluated before publication.
  1. AThe proposal that the survey results should be re-evaluated before publication was rejected by the panel.
  2. BThe proposal was rejected that the survey results should be re-evaluated before publication by the panel.
  3. CThe proposal that the survey results should have been re-evaluated before publication was rejected by the panel.
  4. DThe proposal that the survey results should be re-evaluated before publication has been rejected by the panel.
Show answer

Concept: Simple past active → was/were + V3; the full object phrase becomes the subject.

  1. Object = 'the proposal that the survey results should be re-evaluated before publication' – keep it together.
  2. rejected → was rejected; add 'by the panel'.
  3. Inner clause stays unchanged.

Trick: Don't touch the tense of the inner clause; (C) and (D) alter tenses, (B) breaks the noun phrase.

Answer: (A) The proposal that the survey results should be re-evaluated before publication was rejected by the panel.

अवधारणा: Simple past → was/were + V3; पूरा कर्म-वाक्यांश कर्ता बनता है।

  1. कर्म 'the proposal that … publication' को एक साथ रखें।
  2. rejected → was rejected, फिर 'by the panel'।
  3. अंदर का clause जस का तस।

ट्रिक: (C), (D) काल बदलते हैं, (B) वाक्यांश तोड़ता है – हटाएँ।

उत्तर: (A) The proposal that the survey results should be re-evaluated before publication was rejected by the panel.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionPassive voice – object with that-clauseSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q106.
Select the correct spelling of a concept describing a universal or all-encompassing system of governance or interconnected hierarchies, often transcending national borders.
  1. APanarchy
  2. BPanarky
  3. CPanaarchy
  4. DPanarcky
Show answer

Concept: Pan (all) + -archy (rule/government) = panarchy.

  1. The suffix is always '-archy' as in monarchy, anarchy, hierarchy.
  2. Forms with 'k', 'ck' or 'aa' are incorrect.

Trick: Any word for 'rule' ends in -archy (with 'ch'), never -arky.

Answer: (A) Panarchy

अवधारणा: Pan (सभी) + -archy (शासन) = panarchy।

  1. प्रत्यय हमेशा '-archy' – monarchy, anarchy, hierarchy की तरह।
  2. 'k', 'ck' या 'aa' वाले रूप गलत।

ट्रिक: 'शासन' वाले शब्द -archy (ch) पर खत्म होते हैं।

उत्तर: (A) Panarchy

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSpelling – panarchySSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q107.
Complete the sentence by using the correct collocation.
Due to his family connections on the board, John seemed to ____ in the promotion race, leaving other qualified candidates at a disadvantage.
  1. Ahold all the cards
  2. Bplay by the rules
  3. Clay his cards on the table
  4. Ddeal a raw deal
Show answer

Concept: Hold all the cards = be in a position of total advantage.

  1. Family connections on the board gave John the upper hand → he 'held all the cards'.
  2. Play by the rules = act fairly; lay cards on the table = be open; 'deal a raw deal' is not a correct phrase.

Trick: Context clue: 'leaving others at a disadvantage' → you need a phrase of advantage.

Answer: (A) hold all the cards

अवधारणा: Hold all the cards = पूरी तरह लाभ की स्थिति में होना।

  1. बोर्ड में पारिवारिक संबंधों से जॉन को बढ़त मिली।
  2. Play by the rules = नियम से चलना; lay cards on the table = खुलकर बताना।

ट्रिक: संकेत: 'दूसरे नुकसान में' → लाभ वाला मुहावरा चाहिए।

उत्तर: (A) hold all the cards

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionCollocation – hold all the cardsSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q108.
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words:
A person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people.
  1. AHedonist
  2. BRecluse
  3. CStoic
  4. DEpicurean
Show answer

Concept: Recluse = a person who lives alone and avoids company.

  1. Hedonist/Epicurean = pleasure-seeker.
  2. Stoic = one who endures pain without complaint.
  3. Only 'recluse' means a solitary person.

Yaad rakhein: Related: hermit/anchorite – one who withdraws from society for religious reasons.

Answer: (B) Recluse

अवधारणा: Recluse = अकेले रहने वाला, लोगों से दूर रहने वाला।

  1. Hedonist/Epicurean = सुख-भोगी।
  2. Stoic = दुख चुपचाप सहने वाला।
  3. केवल recluse = एकांतवासी।

याद रखें: Hermit/anchorite = धार्मिक कारण से समाज छोड़ने वाला।

उत्तर: (B) Recluse

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionOne-word substitution – recluseSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q109.
Select the correct spelling of the noun form of the paroxysmal medical condition.
  1. AParoxysmme
  2. BParoxysim
  3. CParoxysm
  4. DParoxysam
Show answer

Concept: Paroxysm = a sudden attack or violent outburst (of pain, coughing, anger).

  1. Correct: p-a-r-o-x-y-s-m, ending '-ysm' like 'spasm'.
  2. No extra letter before or after the final 'm'.

Trick: Adjective 'paroxysmal' = paroxysm + al – remove '-al' to get the noun.

Answer: (C) Paroxysm

अवधारणा: Paroxysm = अचानक दौरा या तीव्र उफान।

  1. सही: p-a-r-o-x-y-s-m, अंत '-ysm'।
  2. अंतिम 'm' से पहले/बाद कोई अतिरिक्त अक्षर नहीं।

ट्रिक: Paroxysmal से '-al' हटाएँ → paroxysm।

उत्तर: (C) Paroxysm

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionSpelling – paroxysmSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q110.
The following sentence has been divided into parts. One of them contains an error. Select the part that contains the error from the given options.
The manager distributed (1)/ many important informations (2)/ during the morning briefing, (3)/ causing some confusion. (4)
  1. A(1)
  2. B(2)
  3. C(3)
  4. D(4)
Show answer

Concept: 'Information' is uncountable: no plural, no 'many'.

  1. 'many important informations' ✗.
  2. Correct: 'much important information' / 'a lot of important information'.

Trick: Same family: advice, furniture, luggage, equipment, news – never add 's'.

Answer: (B) (2)

अवधारणा: 'Information' अगणनीय है – न बहुवचन, न 'many'।

  1. 'many important informations' ✗।
  2. सही: 'much important information'।

ट्रिक: Advice, furniture, luggage, equipment, news – इनमें 's' नहीं लगता।

उत्तर: (B) (2)

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionError spotting – uncountable nounSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q111.
Select the option that expresses the given sentence in the Passive voice.
The engineers will have completed the bridge by the end of the year.
  1. AThe bridge will be completed by the engineers by the end of the year.
  2. BThe bridge is completed by the engineers by the end of the year.
  3. CThe bridge would have been completed by the engineers by the end of the year.
  4. DThe bridge will have been completed by the engineers by the end of the year.
Show answer

Concept: Will have + V3 (active) → will have been + V3 (passive).

  1. Subject: the bridge.
  2. will have completed → will have been completed.
  3. Add 'by the engineers by the end of the year'.

Trick: Passive just inserts 'been' after 'have' – tense markers 'will have' stay.

Answer: (D) The bridge will have been completed by the engineers by the end of the year.

अवधारणा: Will have + V3 → will have been + V3।

  1. कर्ता: the bridge।
  2. will have completed → will have been completed।
  3. फिर 'by the engineers'।

ट्रिक: Passive में 'have' के बाद सिर्फ 'been' जुड़ता है।

उत्तर: (D) The bridge will have been completed by the engineers by the end of the year.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionPassive voice – future perfectSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q112.
Select the option which contains the most appropriate HOMONYM of the word given in bold/underline.
The artisan applied a thin layer of varnish to the wooden surface.
  1. AThe curator inspected the ancient varnish that had begun to peel.
  2. BThe craftsman demonstrated how the varnish deepened the colour of the oak panels.
  3. CThe lawyer attempted to varnish the truth to make the report appear more favourable.
  4. DThe apprentices watched as the varnish dried under controlled light.
Show answer

Concept: Homonym = same word, different meaning.

  1. Given: varnish (noun) = glossy protective coating.
  2. (A), (B), (D) use the same coating meaning.
  3. (C) 'varnish the truth' (verb) = disguise or gloss over facts → different meaning.

Trick: Look for the option where the word changes its part of speech or becomes figurative.

Answer: (C) The lawyer attempted to varnish the truth to make the report appear more favourable.

अवधारणा: Homonym = एक ही शब्द, अलग अर्थ।

  1. दिया गया: varnish (संज्ञा) = चमकदार परत।
  2. (A), (B), (D) – वही अर्थ।
  3. (C) 'varnish the truth' = सच छिपाना/सजाना – अलग अर्थ।

ट्रिक: जिस विकल्प में शब्द का भाग/अर्थ बदल जाए, वही उत्तर।

उत्तर: (C) The lawyer attempted to varnish the truth to make the report appear more favourable.

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionHomonym – varnishSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q113.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
To blow hot and cold
  1. ATo experience extreme temperature changes
  2. BTo keep changing one’s attitude or opinion
  3. CTo argue passionately for both sides of an issue
  4. DTo have a fluctuating fever
Show answer

Concept: Blow hot and cold = keep changing one's mind or attitude.

  1. Example: He blows hot and cold about the job offer.
  2. (A), (D) are literal; (C) is arguing both sides, not wavering.

Trick: Hot = keen, cold = uninterested → swinging between the two.

Answer: (B) To keep changing one’s attitude or opinion

अवधारणा: Blow hot and cold = बार-बार राय/रवैया बदलना।

  1. उदाहरण: He blows hot and cold about the job offer।
  2. (A), (D) शाब्दिक; (C) अलग अर्थ।

ट्रिक: Hot = उत्साह, cold = उदासीनता → दोनों के बीच झूलना।

उत्तर: (B) To keep changing one’s attitude or opinion

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionIdiom – blow hot and coldSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q114.
Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
An anonymous person claims that the suspect will escaped through the back alley, unnoticed by the police.
  1. Awill be escape through
  2. Bwill escape through
  3. Cwill have to escaped through
  4. Dshall escaped through
Show answer

Concept: Will/shall/can + V1 (base form).

  1. 'will escaped' ✗ → 'will escape' ✓.
  2. (A) 'will be escape', (C) 'will have to escaped', (D) 'shall escaped' all break the rule.

Trick: After any modal, the very next verb is V1 – no -ed, -s or -ing.

Answer: (B) will escape through

अवधारणा: Will/shall/can + V1 (मूल रूप)।

  1. 'will escaped' ✗ → 'will escape' ✓।
  2. बाकी विकल्प नियम तोड़ते हैं।

ट्रिक: Modal के ठीक बाद क्रिया V1 में – -ed, -s, -ing नहीं।

उत्तर: (B) will escape through

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionModal + base verbSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q115.
Select the correct direct form of the given sentence.
The manager affirmed that the bonus would be disbursed, provided that the quarterly targets had been met.
  1. AThe manager said, "The bonus will be disbursed, provided that the quarterly targets have been met."
  2. BThe manager said, "The bonus would be disbursed, provided that the quarterly targets had been met."
  3. CThe manager said, "The bonus can be disbursed, provided that the quarterly targets are met."
  4. DThe manager said, "The bonus is disbursed, provided that the quarterly targets are met."
Show answer

Concept: Undo the back-shift: would → will, had been → have been.

  1. 'affirmed that' → said, "…".
  2. would be disbursed → will be disbursed.
  3. had been met → have been met.

Trick: Direct form should never retain the reported tenses – (B) copies them unchanged.

Answer: (A) The manager said, "The bonus will be disbursed, provided that the quarterly targets have been met."

अवधारणा: पीछे खिसका काल वापस करें: would → will, had been → have been।

  1. 'affirmed that' → said, "…"।
  2. would be disbursed → will be disbursed।
  3. had been met → have been met।

ट्रिक: प्रत्यक्ष रूप में reported काल नहीं रहते – (B) वैसे ही रखता है।

उत्तर: (A) The manager said, "The bonus will be disbursed, provided that the quarterly targets have been met."

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionNarration – indirect to directSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q116.
Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
1. This new approach involves regular sensor readings and predictive analytics.
2. The old method of reactive maintenance often led to costly breakdowns.
3. Consequently, equipment uptime has significantly improved.
4. The company adopted a proactive maintenance strategy.
  1. A2-4-1-3
  2. B4-1-2-3
  3. C2-1-4-3
  4. D1-3-2-4
Show answer

Concept: Problem → solution → details → result.

  1. 2: old reactive method caused breakdowns (problem).
  2. 4: company adopted proactive strategy (solution).
  3. 1: 'This new approach' explains it; 3: 'Consequently' gives the result.

Trick: 'This new approach' must follow a sentence introducing a new approach → 4-1 pair.

Answer: (A) 2-4-1-3

अवधारणा: समस्या → समाधान → विवरण → परिणाम।

  1. 2: पुराना तरीका – समस्या।
  2. 4: नई रणनीति अपनाई।
  3. 1: 'This new approach' – विवरण; 3: 'Consequently' – परिणाम।

ट्रिक: 'This new approach' से पहले नई रणनीति वाला वाक्य → 4-1 जोड़ी।

उत्तर: (A) 2-4-1-3

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionPara jumble – maintenance strategySSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q117.
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words:
A drug that causes temporary loss of memory.
  1. AAmnesiac
  2. BNarcotic
  3. CHypnotic
  4. DPurgative
Show answer

Concept: Amnesia = loss of memory; amnesiac (drug) = one that causes it.

  1. Narcotic – dulls senses/induces stupor; hypnotic – induces sleep; purgative – clears the bowels.
  2. Only 'amnesiac' links to memory loss.

Trick: Root 'mnesia' = memory (as in amnesty – 'forgetting' offences).

Answer: (A) Amnesiac

अवधारणा: Amnesia = स्मृति-लोप; amnesiac दवा = जो स्मृति-लोप करे।

  1. Narcotic – सुन्न करने वाली; hypnotic – नींद लाने वाली; purgative – दस्तावर।
  2. केवल amnesiac स्मृति से जुड़ा है।

ट्रिक: 'mnesia' = स्मृति (amnesty = अपराध भूल जाना)।

उत्तर: (A) Amnesiac

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionOne-word substitution – amnesiacSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q118.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
To step up to the plate
  1. ATo offer someone food
  2. BTo take responsibility and perform well when needed
  3. CTo serve food to guests
  4. DTo begin a new game
Show answer

Concept: Step up to the plate = take responsibility and act when needed.

  1. From baseball: the batter steps up to home plate to face the pitch.
  2. 'Plate' has nothing to do with food – (A), (C) are traps.

Trick: Similar idiom: 'rise to the occasion'.

Answer: (B) To take responsibility and perform well when needed

अवधारणा: Step up to the plate = ज़रूरत पड़ने पर ज़िम्मेदारी लेना।

  1. बेसबॉल से: बल्लेबाज़ होम प्लेट पर आकर खेलता है।
  2. 'Plate' का खाने से संबंध नहीं – (A), (C) जाल।

ट्रिक: समान मुहावरा: 'rise to the occasion'।

उत्तर: (B) To take responsibility and perform well when needed

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionIdiom – step up to the plateSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q119.
Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
1. Cloud computing offers significant advantages for collaborative scientific research.
2. Specifically, it allows for real-time sharing and version control of large datasets.
3. This enables multiple researchers to contribute to the same project without overwriting each other's work.
4. Furthermore, it provides access to vast computational resources on demand, accelerating complex analyses.
  1. A2, 3, 1, 4
  2. B1, 2, 3, 4
  3. C3, 1, 4, 2
  4. D4, 3, 1, 2
Show answer

Concept: General claim → 'Specifically' → 'This' → 'Furthermore'.

  1. 1 states the topic (advantages of cloud computing).
  2. 2 'Specifically' gives the first advantage; 3 'This enables' explains its effect.
  3. 4 'Furthermore' adds another advantage.

Trick: Connectors decide it: Specifically, This, Furthermore can never open a paragraph → only 1 can start.

Answer: (B) 1, 2, 3, 4

अवधारणा: सामान्य बात → 'Specifically' → 'This' → 'Furthermore'।

  1. 1 विषय बताता है।
  2. 2 'Specifically' पहला लाभ, 3 'This enables' उसका असर।
  3. 4 'Furthermore' दूसरा लाभ।

ट्रिक: Specifically/This/Furthermore से अनुच्छेद शुरू नहीं होता → केवल 1 शुरुआत।

उत्तर: (B) 1, 2, 3, 4

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionPara jumble – cloud computingSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2
Q120.
Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
1. It helps them think better for college.
2. Learning by doing projects in school is very good for students.
3. Kids work on real problems, so they learn more than just memorizing facts.
4. This way of learning also makes them work and talk together with friends.
  1. A1-4-3-2
  2. B3-2-1-4
  3. C2-3-4-1
  4. D4-1-2-3
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Concept: Main idea → reason → extra benefit → final benefit.

  1. 2 introduces the topic: project learning is good.
  2. 3 explains why (real problems > memorising).
  3. 4 'This way of learning also…' adds teamwork; 1 'It helps them…' ends with college benefit.

Trick: Sentences starting with 'It' or 'This' need a noun before them – the one with full nouns (2) opens.

Answer: (C) 2-3-4-1

अवधारणा: मुख्य बात → कारण → अतिरिक्त लाभ → अंतिम लाभ।

  1. 2 विषय बताता है।
  2. 3 कारण बताता है।
  3. 4 'also' से एक और लाभ; 1 कॉलेज वाला लाभ।

ट्रिक: 'It/This' से शुरू वाक्य पहले नहीं आ सकते – 2 से शुरुआत।

उत्तर: (C) 2-3-4-1

SSC CGLEnglish ComprehensionPara jumble – project-based learningSSC CGL 2025 · 26 Sep Shift 2